News Releases

News Release - Manitoba

I was pleased to meet earlier today with a group of northern municipal and First Nations leaders to express the concern of Manitoba’s new government with respect to the impact of recent layoffs and reduction in scheduled rail service by Omnitrax, a private U.S.-based corporation.

Our government recognizes the impact this decision will have on northern communities and I was pleased to hear from members of local government and First Nation leadership. On behalf of our government, I communicated our commitment to the economic and social development of northern Manitoba.

Community leadersaround the table recognized the need for a long-term, sustainable solution and indicated their desire to see the Port of Churchill re-nationalized or a local ownership model pursued.

Our government will continue to work with our partners to ensure the continued availability of fresh food to northern communities. To that end, officials from Manitoba Health’s Affordable Food in Remote Manitoba program are engaged.

Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade is also working with the Manitoba Education and Training to ensure that supports are made available to impacted workers and we continue to engage with the federal government on items within their jurisdiction.

Manitoba’s new government recognizes the need for economic diversification and development in our province’s north. Our government will soon launch a targeted program for northern Manitoba that will facilitate the partnerships necessary for the attraction of new companies, the development of entrepreneurial opportunities and the expansion of existing businesses. Our focus will be on the sustainable development of natural resources and the expansion of tourism-related opportunities.